Toronto has one of the largest South Asian communities outside the subcontinent, and it's one of the best cities in North America for Indian food. The Gerrard India Bazaar in the east end has been a South Asian shopping street since the 1970s. More recently, a new generation of restaurants has turned Queen West, Dundas West and College Street into the centre of modern Indian dining. This list picks ten of the best-rated places, with a note on what each one does best.
How we chose: We started with every South Asian restaurant in our Toronto listings, ranked them by public rating, and kept dine-in restaurants, choosing a range of styles and neighbourhoods. Ratings change over time, so check the listing before you go.
1. Aangan
556 College Street · Rated 4.9
A women-owned modern Indian restaurant in Little Italy with a full bar and cocktails. It's one of the best-rated restaurants in the city, and a good choice for a dinner out.
2. Coal and Curry
180 Baldwin Street · Rated 4.9
A women-owned restaurant near Kensington Market with outdoor seating. As the name suggests, the charcoal grill and the curries are the focus.
3. MOBA
869 Dundas Street West · Rated 4.9
A Dundas West restaurant with a full bar and one of the highest ratings in the city. It's a popular dinner choice in the west end.
4. Indian Cookhouse
705A College Street · Rated 5.0
A small, women-owned Indian kitchen on College Street, good for a quick bite, takeout or delivery. It shares an address with Mumbai 74, which serves Indian and Hakka dishes.
5. Kalyug
885 Dundas Street West · Rated 4.8
An Indian and Hakka cocktail bar. Toronto's Hakka food comes from the Chinese community of Kolkata, and dishes like chilli chicken, Manchurian and hakka noodles are a city speciality. Kalyug serves them alongside Indian plates and a strong cocktail list, and has outdoor seating.
6. Leela Indian Food Bar
3108 Dundas Street West and 1386 Gerrard Street East · Rated 4.8
A modern restaurant serving inventive Indian dishes tapas-style, in a bare-brick room with a relaxed feel. The Gerrard Street location, known for its charcoal butter chicken and fish tikka, is a good excuse to visit the Gerrard India Bazaar.
7. Karahi Boys
741 Queen Street West · Rated 4.8
A halal restaurant named for the karahi, the wok-like pan used to cook Pakistani and North Indian curries to order. Order a karahi to share, with fresh naan. It has outdoor seating on Queen West.
8. Delhiites
717 Queen Street East · Rated 4.8
A Delhi street-food restaurant in Leslieville. It's casual and fun, with outdoor seating. Our chaat guide explains the menu.
9. Delhi Momos
113 Bond Street · Rated 4.8
A women-owned downtown restaurant for momos (Himalayan dumplings) as they're eaten in Delhi, with a bar. See our momos guide.
10. Shambhala Kitchen
1406 Queen Street West · Rated 4.8
A Tibetan restaurant in Parkdale, the heart of Toronto's Tibetan community. Come for momos, thukpa (noodle soup) and other Himalayan dishes.
Also worth knowing
- Roncesvalles: Dil Se has a strong cocktail and wine list, and Nepal India Curry House is a good neighbourhood option.
- Kensington Market: Rikki Tikki has outdoor seating and cocktails.
- South Indian: Madras Curry on Carlton Street serves South Indian dishes near Cabbagetown.
- Etobicoke: Koshaa Fine Indian Cuisine on Lake Shore Boulevard West is a well-rated modern Indian restaurant.
- Mississauga: Charcoal Indian Kitchen + Bar is worth the drive.
Tips for eating in Toronto
- Book ahead for dinner on Queen West, Dundas West and College Street, especially at weekends.
- Take the streetcar. Many of these restaurants are on the Queen, Dundas and College lines, and downtown parking is expensive.
- Visit Gerrard India Bazaar for sweets, paan and street snacks, especially on summer evenings.
- Head to the suburbs for larger, cheaper, more traditional restaurants. See our Brampton guide.
For more on the neighbourhoods, and the full list of restaurants with hours and phone numbers, see our Toronto, ON city guide.